I’m not one for bragging, but I have an incredible dad. He mentored and shaped me into the man I’ve become. Here’s a short story about how skipping one nap made a lasting impact on a young man’s life.
Sunday naps were, and still are, sacred in my house. No matter what we were doing, we were instructed to stop everything to take a nap. For a boy who was anxious to get outside, naps were nearly an impossible task.
One Sunday, as I lay there, the door slowly opened. My dad, so not to wake my brother, crawled on hands and knees to get my attention. Once he had it, I crawled out the same way he entered. I never got to skip naps, but today was a special one. My dad grabbed a gun I’d never seen before, a Stevens 410. I’ve forgotten the model—time does that.
That day, I learned a valuable lesson. Never, under any circumstances, shoot guns how you see on TV. My first shot absolutely rocked my shoulder. I still feel the kick from that thing. On the second shot, I thought I’d alleviate some pain with a shot from the hip. BIG MISTAKE. The shooting lesson began there.
My dad quickly went back over the gun safety rules and why shooting from the hip is a poor choice. I adjusted my technique, and from that point on, I was hooked. The pursuits I had with that 410 were memorable. I remember one-day stalking quail in the backyard only to take out the lone Meadowlark. I took out an honest-to-goodness water-boa-rattle-viper-moccasin, and I kept busy cleaning rabbits.
Who knew a skipped nap would ignite a life of chasing game and lead to a career where I’m able to share my passion for the gun industry. Honestly, I’m not sure who enjoyed skipping that nap most. Me or dad? ~ KJ
Father’s Day is only a few short days away. If you somehow forgot the gifts, don’t worry. There’s still time to get them ordered. Click the links below to begin shopping.
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Kevin Jarnagin
Kevin Jarnagin (KJ) hails from Oklahoma but quickly established Louisiana roots after joining the Gun Talk team. KJ grew up as a big game hunter and often finds himself in a bass boat. Whether it’s making his way to British Columbia for elk or training with pistols, Jarnagin always seems to find a gun in his hands and adventure on his mind.
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